Chicago Cubs: A look at five likely free agent additions

October 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs celebrate after the 6-4 victory against St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Season in and season out, changes to a professional sports team roster are inevitable. The Chicago Cubs are no exception to this fact.

The Cubs have several players whose contracts expired following the season’s end. These players are Dexter Fowler, Trevor Cahill, Dan Haren, Tommy Hunter, Jason Motte, Fernando Rodney, Chris Denorfia, and Austin Jackson. Haren retired, so he technically is not a free agent. The other seven are fair game, though.

Based on the team’s final series of the season against the Mets, there are several positions the Cubs will need to upgrade for 2016. This includes outfield defense, starting pitching depth, and a couple of arms for the bullpen.

The outfield defense may be upgraded at the expense of Fowler, whose future with the team is up in the air. Fowler has never been known as more than a superb defender in center fielder. Also, he has played himself into a possibly expensive contract, something the Cubs may not be willing to pay.

With all of this being said, let’s take a look at the five most likely targets for the Cubs in free agency this winter.

Jun 10, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder

(2) hits the game-winning RBI single against the New York Yankees during the eleventh inning at Yankee Stadium. The Nationals defeated the Yankees 5-4 in eleven innings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Denard Span

Due to Dexter Fowler‘s expected huge pay raise, the Cubs will more likely than not need a center fielder to replace him. By signing Denard Span, the Cubs will improve in two ways. First Fowler is not horrible defensively, but Span is generally regarded as a good defender.

In fact, he was named a finalist for the Gold Glove in 2014 when he fielded .990 with seven assists, three double players, and four errors.

Secondly, Span is a great contact hitter with a career .287 hitter and is not known for power. During this year’s postseason, the Cubs scored 23 out of their total 32 runs via the long ball. Clearly, they need more hitters who generate offense without taking pitcher’s deep. Span would be a nice option leading off for the Cubs brought aboard.

Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

(14) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

David Price (18-5, 2.45 ERA)

If this were 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013, the possibility of signing a big name free agent for the Cubs was not very high. However, as Cubs fans witnessed last season, the team is now willing to spend a lot of money for impact players. Last winter, Jon Lester was signed to a six years, $155 million deal to lock-up themselves an ace.

This season, I truly expect the Cubs to make a run at a big time free agent pitcher, and that pitcher will be David Price.

Price played under manager Joe Maddon in Tampa Bay with much success. Even though he’s struggled in postseason appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays, Price is still considered to be a valuable pitcher worth investing in.

That is, as long as the Ricketts family is willing to pay for him, there is a great chance Price comes to Chicago.

October 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher

(53) pitches the sixth inning against the New York Mets in game three of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Cahill (1-3, 5.40 ERA) 

Naturally as a  starting pitcher, Trevor Cahill had an up and down 2015 campaign. With the Atlanta Braves, he pitched in 15 games going 0-3 with a 7.52 ERA. All three losses came while starting. After signing with the Cubs, Maddon made the decision to have him work out of the bullpen.

A similar move that was made with veteran southpaw, Travis Wood earlier on in the year.

In 11 games during September, Cahill began to roll with a 2.12 ERA. During the postseason, he had a 3.38 ERA in six games, becoming Joe Maddon’s right-handed setup man along the way.

Pitching coach Chris Bosio has been known to work miracles with starting pitchers that the Cubs acquire (i.e. Jake Arrieta, Jason Hammel). Bosio clearly had an impact on Cahill during his short time in Chicago during 2015, so why not bring him back?

Maybe, he can return to his 2010 form when he went 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA. If not, he can continue as the Cubs setup man. Either way, the Cubs are benefitting from his presence on the team.

May 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher

(45) throws during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Marshall (DNP in 2015)

In 2015, the Cubs never had a true left-handed relief specialist. Clayton Richard and Travis Wood filled in nicely for the team during the stretch run and postseason and I definitely can see the Cubs bringing Richard back next year as a swingman starter/reliever. However, Marshall would truly give the Cubs a dominant lefty in the back-end of the bullpen.

Marshall pitched for the Cubs from 2006-2011 he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Wood, Dave Sappelt, and Ronald Torreyes.

From 2010-2012, his ERA was below 3.00, and in 16 games with the Reds in 2013, his ERA was 1.74. However, Marshall only pitched 15 games in 2014 and missed 2015 completely, so clearly injuries have become an issue.

Signing him would be a low-risk, high reward situation for the Cubs, similar to the deal Ryan Madson signed with the Kansas City Royals back in January.